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Farm Products Purchasing Agent

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AVG. SALARY

$67,150

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EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What To Learn

High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources cluster Agribusiness Systems pathway.

Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

Bachelor's degree

For those interested in a career as a buyer or purchasing agent of farm products, a degree in agriculture, agriculture production, or animal science is often beneficial.

Insider Info

Additional Information

There is no formal path towards becoming a livestock buyer, although many colleges and universities offer courses in animal marketing.

Some high schools, colleges and universities in the United States also field livestock judging teams. The Future Farmers of America and 4-H also offer programs that teach children how to judge livestock.

But the only way you can learn livestock buying is by working on feedlots, by working on ranches, and by being around animals, says livestock buyer Don Kracke.

"You really have to like livestock," he says. "That has to be a priority for you."

On the other hand, it doesn't hurt if you have a degree in marketing and computer science because the industry is constantly changing, says Kracke. He holds a degree in animal science from the University of Nebraska.

You may also have to get a license, and put up a line of credit.

License requirements vary in the United States. But each livestock buyer in the U.S. has to register with the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration.

Extra Requirements

Voluntary certifications are offered by the American Purchasing Society (APS) the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) and the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC).

For additional information, visit these websites:

Contact

  • Email Support
  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900
  • North Dakota Career Resource Network
    ndcrn@nd.gov | (701) 328-9733

Support